Does anyone fancy a "puppy survival" thread part 2

[Soubriquet]

Here we are again

Just jump in and join us

Ah blue I sympathise. It was -4 at night when we got our puppy so nighttime toilet trips were freeeeeezing

But you can wear lots of layers and the biting hurts less.
It's beautiful at night in the winter and the stars are amazing.
You don't encounter idiots with no manners and rude dogs who only walk in the summer!

I have another one wolf

Your puppy will be much bigger and calmer come the summer which makes lazing about in the garden with your pal so enjoyable

Yes. Very true. Oh and a new cuddly baby puppy is a good hot water bottle!
And an older dog can be walked much more. Lots of fun at this time of year!

Puppy blues are a thing!! Yay, I feel less like a weirdo now.

Are puppy based rows with dh also a thing?

Puppy blues are so a thing.
So are arguments with DH.
Totally. Completely.
This too shall pass.
Yesterday evening youngest and I went for a walk with big girl. She walked on a loose lead. Pup. Not child! DC and I chatted away. It was lovely.
You can get there too font. I used to think that the harder I worked with little pup, the nicer big dog would turn out. It's working.

Oh Bitey was reading holding my breath about poor puppy!! Thank god it's nothing serious. I've had dogs for a long time now (although his is only my second puppy, always been rescues) and what I've learnt is that 99% of the time little ailments turn out to be nothing at all. Even initially worrying things like pup having a heart murmur when we got him has turned out to be nothing. I'm a lot more laid back about issues now - even little lumps and bumps are generally a 'keep an eye on it' thing. Limps are always worth checking though - our older dog ruptured his cruciate ligament and it was a NIGHTMARE. Crate rest for 6 months with an active border collie!! so I don't blame you for being worried at all.

AmIAWeed sounds like you're getting there with the night time routine!! Totally agree it's all about offering an alternative straight away and I did say 'no' if he but us, giving him something else to chew and then walking off if he continued. Not what everyone would do but it worked for us and he doesnt bite or mouth us at all now. It does pass! Just be consistent and don't allow him to do it even in play.

Oh god puppy rows are SO a thing. I nearly went mental the second night we had our pup, I'd been up and down with him trying to settle him all night and he started crying and (normally lovely helpful) OH actually ELBOWED me in the ribs to get me to get up with him! Oh god I went mad!! You're tired and frustrated - it's totally normal and you're nearly passed the worst bit.

Wolfie it's so true isn't it, each day you gradually get a glimpse of the dog you're creating. It's all about polishing up the rough bits and keep on top of it. I see it as weeding - eventually we'll have a gorgeous mature flower bed if we keep on top of those weeds (and the weeds grow more quickly than the roses!!!)

Skeleton yes that was what I was really worried about given spaniels can be affected by similar ruptures especially because when we go out for 30-40 mins he literally runs at full speed back and forth hunting. I have no idea how I am going to stop him tearing about for 2 weeks post neutering so god knows how he would be if he was on crate rest like your dog for 6 months

Bitey, glad pup is ok.
Puppy rows with DH were mainly over training or rather his lack of consistency although we did hiss at each other a couple of times in the wee small hours in the first few weeks. Now it is just the issue of forgetting to check where pup is to see if he needs to shut the gates. ITS EASY DH, ALWAYS SHUT THE FRIGGING GATE behind you!🍷Need some....

Oh yes. and and sugar and
But skeleton the weeds keep popping up! Sorted loose lead walking (mostly!) then about to really tackle the recall then she is suddenly scared of people. Then stop the chewing the house. Then she starts digging and eating the garden.
But tackling each thing as it starts and working hard means I'm going to hopefully have years of a gorgeous dog who's a joy to spend time with.

Hahaha so true that it's one thing after another!!

Well ladies and gentlemen (don't think we have any actually...) my little baby puppy who was once so small officially cocked his leg for a wee this morning!!! I feel our puppyhood days are limited!

I am . Mine refuses to cock his leg

My old dog Nero never cocked his leg all the time I had him..

Oh skeleton. Here comes the teenage stage!

Yeah bye bye recall

Ok, thank you all. I think because I haven't had a dog since I was a baby (dh grew up with them) I can't imagine the rewards that we are going to be getting back from our hard work. I see little glimpses of it as she is calm occasionally. We start puppy classes Sunday so I think that will be good. Plus it's bloody half term which is gin inducing at the best of times 😂

Puppy classes will be great. Not just because they help with training but because they occupy the pup's minds and tires them out! We are still doing training classes at 8 months. We also go to ring craft weekly. It teaches you how to show your dog but ours is also a socialisation group. (for the dogs and us!) It is also somewhere else to vent and ask questions.

Trying a new dish tonight

Chicken and kibble stew.... let's see if it's a success

I hope you're not serving that up to the whole family

Well, as if to confirm things, pup was an absolute tit at training and at one point ran off from me and lay down at the other side of the room in defiance. IT HAS BEGUN!

Oh dear skeleton. Sooner started sooner passed?
For goodness sake Soubriquet have you not seen the ads? It's not chicken and kibble stew. It's succulent, butter basted roasted chicken with wholesome crunchy bites.

Ah..that's where I've gone wrong